Gaza Freedom March

The Siege on Gaza

December 16, 2009 By Anonymous Leave a Comment

The Israeli military offensive against the Gaza Strip from 27 December 2008 to 18 January 2009, was the most violent and deadly offensive by Israel since the second Intifada began. According to the UN, 1,434 Palestinian residents of Gaza were killed by the Israeli forces, and over 5,000 were injured.

Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed, and the Gazan economy remains in ruins. Israel has been controlling and limiting the amounts of international aid that are allowed into the Gaza Strip, and has thus caused a mounting humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including an acute shortage in clean drinking water, food, medical supplies, power, construction and repair materials, and sanitation.

The continuing siege on Gaza has prevented the clearing of dangerous rubble, the restoration of water and sewage systems to normal working order, and the rebuilding of damaged and destroyed houses. The Gaza Strip has become the world’s most aid-dependent region in the world, with over 90% of the population relying on aid shipments of some sort.

Purpose of the March

December 14, 2009 By Anonymous Leave a Comment

Israel’s blockade of Gaza is a flagrant violation of international law that has led to mass suffering. The U.S., the European Union, and the rest of the international community are complicit.

The law is clear. The conscience of humankind is shocked. Yet, the siege of Gaza continues. It is time for us to take action! On Dec. 31, we will end the year by marching alongside the Palestinian people of Gaza in a non-violent demonstration that breaches the illegal blockade.

Our purpose in this March is lifting the siege on Gaza. We demand that Israel end the blockade. We also call upon Egypt to open Gaza’s Rafah border. Palestinians must have freedom to travel for study, work, and much-needed medical treatment and to receive visitors from abroad.

As an international coalition we are not in a position to advocate a specific political solution to this conflict. Yet our faith in our common humanity leads us to call on all parties to respect and uphold international law and fundamental human rights to bring an end to the Israeli military occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967 and pursue a just and lasting peace.

The Palestinians of Gaza have exhorted the international community to move beyond words of condemnation. The march can only succeed if it arouses the conscience of humanity.

Welcome!

September 1, 2009 By Anonymous Leave a Comment

Assalamu Alaikum, Peace and Blessings to all…

This is our first post on our new blog! We hope to use this as a forum to share our views of and experiences with important and relevant issues from around the world.

Our first major project will be our trip to the Gaza Strip at the end of this month with the Gaza Freedom March, in which 1,400 people from over 40 countries will converge in Cairo, then enter into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah Border with Egypt. We will then meet up with over 50,000 Gazans and embark on the 3-mile march to the Erez border crossing with Israel to demand an end to the inhumane siege and illegal blockade that has been placed on the entire population. There will also be another delegation which will march from the other side of the border (from Israel) and meet us at the Erez crossing.

We hope to make an enormous impact both on a local and global scale, through media, internet, videos and images to bring the message of the Palestinian people to the world!

Stay tuned to be kept up-to-date on each step of our journey, and in the meantime feel free to watch this video which explains the purpose and logistics of the march.

In peace & solidarity,
~Nu

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